Beauty Bible Beauty Clinic

Welcome to our new weekly column on the YOU magazine website, www.you.co.uk  Below you will find the current question and our advice, with a list of where to source the products mentioned.  To look at past columns, click here. And for lots more solutions to your beauty dilemmas, visit Q&A, just click here.

March 1st, 2009:  Hair Colouring in Pregnancy

Q  My pregnant daughter is looking a bit grey and I thought I would treat her to a hair colour but she is concerned about any risks to her baby, or herself. Please can you find out what the situation is - and tell me of any safe products?

A This is a tricky area because there is little research on the risk of hair dyes in general, and virtually none on risk to the baby.  In adults, according to Cancer Research UK, ‘some research has shown that using hair dye may lead to an increased risk of bladder cancer, while other research has suggested it doesn’t.’  Some studies have shown a possible ‘extremely small’ added risk of blood cancers - non Hodgkins lymphomas, leukaemia and myeloma.’  On the whole, however, the charity believes modern colourings are pretty safe.  

The current debate centres on permanent hair colours (because they’re left on the absorbent scalp for some time), principally the dark colours which include a chemical compound called PPD (paraphenylenediamine), but ‘there is no concern over the safety of semi-permanent dyes that wash out’, says Cancer Research. 

As far as the baby is concerned, consultant gynaecologist Michael Dooley advises patients to avoid using strong chemicals of any kind during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester when the baby’s organs are being formed.  Medical researcher Dr Paula Baillie-Hamilton, author of ‘Toxic Overload’, agrees: ‘it’s a little like playing Russian roulette with your baby future health. Exposing unborn fetuses to a blast of synthetic chemicals could  potentially cause serious long term damage, especially in the first 12 weeks.’ 

She explains that unborn babies do not have ‘a mature well functioning detoxification (chemical waste disposal) system so they’re effectively sitting ducks for any chemical the mother is exposed to’. They are also far more sensitive to chemicals, so much lower levels may cause damage. ‘Hair dyes can contain a soup of fetus-poisoning chemical compounds
such as ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, mercury, lead, analine dyes and benzene derivatives. These chemicals are not only absorbed through the scalp but also by inhaling the toxic fumes. Once these chemicals enter
the mother's blood, some will be passed to the fetus.’

Both agree that the safest option is not to use hair dye during the first three months, and then to use a gentle natural product.  The most suitable range for  covering grey we know of is by Logona, a German company whose products are certified 100 per cent natural.  Logona Colour Cream Herbal Hair Colours, (around £14 for 150 ml) which  come in several shades, and are available online.

For that crucial first trimester, your daughter might want to try brightening her natural shade with Aveda Colour Enhancing Shampoos and Conditioners, which come in five options for different hair colours.

We . . .
Skin Therapy Eye Make-Up Remover Pads, £1.99 for 30.  Exclusive to Sainsbury’s stores, these pre-moistened fragrance-free pads really do swipe away even waterproof mascara, as well as every last trace of eye make-up.  (Jo, who has super-sensitive eyes, is a total convert.)  Great for travelling, too:  a super-lightweight pack and, unlike carrying around a bottle of eye make-up remover, there’s no risk of spillage with these.

WHERE TO FIND PRODUCTS:

Logona Colour Cream Herbal Hair Colours, (around £14 for 150 ml), from www.beautybazaar.co.uk

Aveda Colour Enhancing Shampoos and Conditioners, from £20.55 for 1 litre, available online from www.aveda.co.uk

Skin Therapy Eye Make-Up Remover Pads, £1.99 for 30, in Sainsburys stores nationwide.

Beauty Bible Beauty Clinic - Archive

March 8th, 2009 - Camouflaging Red Cheeks
March 1st, 2009 - Hair Colouring in Pregnancy
February 22nd, 2009 - Thinning Eyebrows
February 15th, 2009 - Acne